In this conversation, Naomi Shimada discusses her journey of self-discovery, the impact of social media on identity, and the importance of reclaiming one's voice through writing. She reflects on the challenges of self-worth, the lessons learned from relationships, and the evolving understanding of purpose beyond societal expectations. Naomi emphasises the significance of body practices in nurturing self-awareness and navigating the complexities of modern life.

Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.

About the Host:

Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.

Featured Guest:

In this episode, author, model, and writer of Substack Tender Contributions, Naomi Shimada shares her journey of self-worth and reclaiming her voice through writing. We discuss the duality of modelling as both a source of independence and a challenge to her values, how change is an inside job, and the power of storytelling in finding your place in the world.

Connect with Naomi https://www.instagram.com/naomishimada/?hl=en + https://naomishimada.substack.com/

Takeaways

• The commoditization of social media has changed how we perceive ourselves.
• 
  
• Writing serves as a powerful tool for self-expression and reclaiming identity.
• 
  
• Self-worth is often tied to external validation, especially in the modeling industry.
• 
  
• Personal growth often comes from navigating difficult relationships and experiences.
• 
  
• True confidence stems from understanding one's inner self, not external achievements.
• 
  
• Societal pressures can distort our sense of purpose and worth.

• Hope should be viewed as an active pursuit rather than passive waiting.
• 
  
• Body practices like yoga and Qigong can enhance self-awareness and healing.
• 
  
• Transformation begins from within before manifesting outwardly.
• 
  
• The current societal challenges require a deeper understanding of our roles and responsibilities.

Sound Bites

• "I don't doubt my voice."
• "Hope is something that is active."
• "We have to change at the root."
• 
  

Chapters

00:00

The Awakening of Social Media Awareness

05:54

Rediscovering the Power of Writing

10:59

Navigating Self-Worth and Identity

15:47

The Journey of Self-Discovery

21:00

Understanding Purpose and Soul Work

25:52

Facing the Reality of Our World

32:02

The Importance of Body Wisdom

34:37

New Chapter

34:42

Introduction to Being Human

34:43

Exploring Personal Growth

Through these personal yet universal stories, Being Human invites you to reflect, challenge your perspective, and step into your own evolution.

Hosted, Produced + Edited : Nadia Birch

Photo: Yumna Al-Arashi - no copyright intended

Enjoy!

Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Nahid De Belgeonne discusses the importance of somatic movement and interoception, emphasising how tuning into our body's signals can alleviate anxiety and depression. She reflects on the impact of modern society on mental health, particularly during events like the pandemic and social movements. 

Nahid shares her personal journey of vulnerability, including her experience with appendicitis, which led her to reevaluate her life and career. She talks about the courage it takes to navigate career changes and the importance of cultivating daily practices for well-being, such as movement, light exposure, and breathwork. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and find joy in their lives.

Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.

About the Host:

Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.

Featured Guest:

Somatic movement coach and author of Soothe: The Book Your Nervous System Needs, Nahid de Belgeonne

Connect with Nahid https://www.instagram.com/thehumanmethoduk/ + https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/

Takeaways

• Interoception helps in understanding our body's signals.
• 
  
• Modern society can contribute to anxiety and depression.
• 
  
• Vulnerability is a part of being human.
• 
  
• Career changes can be driven by personal growth.
• 
  
• Daily practices are essential for mental well-being.
• 
  
• Curiosity can lead to personal discovery.
• 
  
• Breathwork is a powerful tool for self-regulation.
• 
  
• Creating a refuge within oneself is crucial.
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• You are not broken; you are human.
• 
  
• Enjoy your life and embrace your experiences.
• 
  
• 
  

Titles

• The Power of Somatic Movement
• 
  
• Navigating Mental Health in Modern Society
• 
  

Sound Bites

• "We are told that we are the problem."
• "You need to create refuge within yourself."
• "Curiosity for me really saves me."
• 
  

Chapters

00:00

Understanding Somatic Coaching and Interoception

04:39

The Impact of Modern Life on Mental Health

07:33

Personal Vulnerability: A Journey Through Illness

10:55

The Shift in Life Perspective After Crisis

13:46

Cultural Reflections: The Working Class and Wellness

15:59

Navigating Identity and Community in London

18:49

The Importance of Locality and Diversity

22:10

Finding Home: The Search for a Peaceful Life

29:12

Navigating Life Changes During the Pandemic

31:37

The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Studio Ownership

38:33

Recognizing When to Move On

43:28

Cultivating Courage and Self-Confidence

47:51

Creating Inner Refuge and Community

All interviews hosted, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.

Photo: no copyright intended.

Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Being Human, Nadia speaks with Estée Lalonde, a creative director and founder of Mirror Water. They discuss Estée's journey of self-discovery, the challenges of building a beauty brand, and her ongoing search for belonging. Estée shares her experiences of feeling out of place, navigating friendships, facing failures, and ultimately finding her path in life. The conversation highlights the importance of courage, self-reflection, and the pursuit of authenticity in both personal and professional realms.

Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.

About the Host:

Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.

Featured Guest:

Estée Lalonde, a creative director, founder of beauty brand MIRROR WATER.

Connect with Estée https://www.instagram.com/esteelalonde/?hl=en + https://mirrorwater.earth/

Takeaways

• Estee felt a sense of not belonging from a young age.
• 
  
• Independence became a crucial part of Estée's identity.
• 
  
• 
  
• She faced significant challenges during her early life.
• 
  
• Moving to England marked a pivotal change in her life.
• 
  
• Blogging provided Estee with a sense of direction.
• 
  
• The pandemic prompted deep self-reflection for Estée.
• 
  
• Launching Mirror Water was a significant risk for her.
• 
  
• Estée emphasises the importance of support from loved ones.
• 
  
• She believes in the value of self-discovery and personal growth.
• 
  
• Courage is essential in pursuing one's true self.
• 
  
• 
  

Titles

• Finding Belonging: Estee Lalonde's Journey
• 
  
• Building a Beauty Brand with Intention
• 
  

Sound Bites

• "I was really depressed."
• "I felt so out of place."
• "I live for it."
• 
  

All interviews, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.

Photo: No Copyright intended.

Enjoy!

Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Brita shares her insights on life-defining moments, the awakening to gender inequality, the emotional toll of advocacy, and the transformative power of fear. She emphasises the importance of community healing and the journey of motherhood, ultimately framing life as a continuous journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.

About the Host:

Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.

Featured Guest:

Brita Fernandez Schmidt, an author of her book Fears to Fierce: A Woman's Guide To Owning Your Power, speaker, and transformational life coach who believes fear can be a guide, not an enemy. She takes us through the defining moments that shaped her—from discovering her passion for women's rights in Venezuela to leading a global organisation. We discuss burnout, intuition, and what it really takes to break free from self-imposed limitations.

Connect with Brita https://www.instagram.com/britafs/ + https://www.fierce-power.com/

Themes: life-defining moments, gender inequality, fear, transformation, emotional well-being, community healing, motherhood, self-discovery, personal growth, empowerment

Takeaways

• Life-defining moments shape who we are, regardless of their nature.
• 
  
• Acceptance of our experiences can lead to healing and empowerment.
• 
  
• Witnessing gender inequality can ignite a lifelong mission for change.
• 
  
• Fear is a natural part of transformation; embracing it can lead to growth.
• 
  
• Emotional work in advocacy can lead to burnout if self-care is neglected.
• 
  
• Healing occurs in the community; we are interconnected in our experiences.
• 
  
• Motherhood challenges our perceptions of responsibility and attachment.
• 
  
• Personal growth often comes from facing our traumas and vulnerabilities.
• 
  
• We must allow others to experience their pain to foster their strength.
• 
  
• Life is a journey of self-discovery, not a destination.
• 
  

Sound Bites

• "How is this possible?"
• "I want to know my fear."
• "You are already whole."
• 
  

Chapters

00:00

Exploring Human Experiences and Defining Moments

05:09

The Impact of Gender Inequality

09:57

Navigating Fear and Embracing Change

14:49

The Emotional Toll of Advocacy Work

19:59

Motherhood: A Journey of Love and Growth

25:10

Healing Through Connection and Community

29:53

Life as a Journey: Embracing the Process

36:04

Exploring Fear and Self-Belief

36:05

The Role of Purpose in Personal Growth

36:25

All interviews Hosted, Produced Edited by Nadia Birch.

Photo - no copyright intended

Enjoy!

Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being Human is a short-run podcast series exploring the moments that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this series features raw and reflective conversations with authors, creatives, activists, and coaches about transformation, self-doubt, resilience, and personal growth.

Through deep, honest discussions, guests share how they’ve navigated change, redefined success, and found confidence in their own journeys. Each episode offers insights and practical wisdom to help listeners embrace uncertainty, break patterns, and step into their own evolution.

About the Host:

Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.

Featured Guests:

Estée Lalonde – Creative director and founder of Mirror Water on building a beauty brand and the search for belonging.

Naomi Shimada – Author and model on reclaiming her voice through writing and the challenges of being a personal brand.

Brita Fernandez Schmidt – Transformational coach and author on overcoming fear, self-belief, and daring to dream bigger.

Nahid de Belgeonne – Somatic movement coach and founder of The Human Method on balancing the nervous system and navigating stress.

Topics Covered:

Personal transformation and self-discovery

Navigating change and overcoming fear

Confidence, self-worth, and redefining success

Breaking patterns and embracing uncertainty

The impact of modern life on our well-being

Resources

Connect with Estée https://www.instagram.com/esteelalonde/?hl=en + https://mirrorwater.earth/

Connect with Naomi https://www.instagram.com/naomishimada/?hl=en + https://naomishimada.substack.com/

Connect with Brita https://www.instagram.com/britafs/ + https://www.fierce-power.com/

Connect with Nahid https://www.instagram.com/thehumanmethoduk/ + https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/

Artwork + interviews hosted, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.

Themes : personal growth podcast, self-improvement, transformation, overcoming fear, navigating change, confidence building, redefining success, resilience, mindfulness, well-being, personal development, women in business, creativity, finding purpose, somatic movement.

Enjoy!

Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.